Child-proofing your home

Monday

Nov 18, 2013 at 11:25 AM

You may not have kids, but if you’re expecting little visitors over for the holidays this year, you should do some child-proofing in advance in your home to keep them — and any valuables or breakables — safe.

Tip of the Week

You may not have kids, but if you’re expecting little visitors over for the holidays this year, you should do some child-proofing in advance in your home to keep them — and any valuables or breakables — safe.

“Most items needed for a standard house cost a few dollars,” says Campion Platt, a New York-based award-winning architect and interior designer who happens to have three children under the age of 5. “Anyone can do it, really. The best and fastest way is to move your fine Lladro porcelain away from reach, crayons out of sight and all Sharpies in the family safe.”

On Platt’s must- and should-do short list:

MUST
- Cover electrical outlets and sharp corners.
- Put away sharp objects and face knives sharp side down in the dishwasher.
- Put a lock on the under-sink cabinet, and wherever else household cleaners are stored.
- Place a child gate at stairways and make sure it is sturdy.
- Ensure smoke alarms and CO2 detectors are working.

SHOULD
- Remove slippery floor coverings and obstacles from steps.
- Hang leveler blinds high out of reach, “as kids love to swing on them,” Platt says.
- Keep kids away from the audio/visual equipment.
- Safeguard pets around small kids, especially fish bowls, which Platt recommends forgetting about until school age.

For more permanent solutions for expecting parents and those with young ones, Platt suggests installing magnetic locks on kitchen cabinets, replacing glass bowls and candle holders with wooden or other ones and adding carpet to the stairs for traction.

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